VGCC recognizes 12 Graduates of EMT-Paramedic Training
Vance-Granville Community College honored 12 people who completed the college’s year-long Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program on Nov. 9.
Graduates included Cynthia Ayscue of Bearpond Volunteer Fire Department; Jennifer Bollinger, Ricky Fortner and Charmin Medlin, all of Franklin County EMS; Pam Aiken, Nicole Davis and Brandon Stewart, all of Granville Health System; Kim Nalevaiko of Townsville Volunteer Fire Department; Aaron Elliott, Brian S. Hogan and Michael Smith, all of Vance County Fire & EMS; and Allison Branch of Wake County.
Vivian Loyd, RN was the instructor for the group.
EMT-P instruction includes 696 hours of didactic (classroom) training and 500 hours of clinical education, or field internship. To be eligible to take the EMT-P course, students had to first complete a 188-hour EMT-Basic and a 304-hour EMT-Intermediate course and pass state exams for both. An EMT-Paramedic has enhanced skills beyond the Intermediate level, including being able to administer additional interventions and medications. The EMT-P delivers the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in North Carolina.
In order to successfully complete the EMT-P course, students had to pass several different exams, including a “scope of practice” exam. This scenario-based evaluation tested the hands-on and critical thinking skills of students, as they delivered the appropriate treatment to multiple trauma patients and dealt with pediatric, environmental, and mental-illness situations. Each student also had to complete an 80-hour Anatomy and Physiology course. Now that students have completed the EMT-P course, they must take the 100-question North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services credentialing exam to become state-certified.
VGCC offers Emergency Medical Services training from the basic to the Paramedic level, in addition to continuing education. EMT-Paramedic and other courses are scheduled upon request and are often taught at the requesting agency’s facility. The next EMT-Paramedic course is scheduled to begin Jan. 4, 2011. For more information, call EMS program coordinator Randy Owen at (252) 738-3448.
Above: From left, seated: Charmin Medlin, Jennifer Bollinger, Kim Nalevaiko, Allison Branch, Nicole Davis and Ricky Fortner; From left, standing: EMS coordinator Randy Owen, Brandon Stewart, Aaron Elliott, Brian S. Hogan, Pam Aiken, Cynthia Ayscue, Michael Smith and instructor Vivian Loyd. (VGCC Photo)
